PSV see off AS Monaco 1-0 (PSV.nl)

PSV have earned a 1-0 win over AS Monaco in the Eindhoven Philips Stadium on Tuesday night in their first leg Champions League quarter finals tie, thanks to an early headed goal of defender Alex.PSV played a solid and professional game and a capacity crowd saw that the Eindhoven side showed a mature attitude in this tight game. By keeping a blank sheet they have created a fairly good point of departure for the return leg in Monaco in fourteen days. They were never in danger and controlled the game by their good passing game, particularly in midfield.The Philips Stadium erupted on eight minutes, when Alex superbly produced a downward header from a Mark van Bommel corner in a packed goalmouth past keeper Flavio Roma: 1-0. It was the brightest of all starts for PSV that conceded hardly anything in defence. The wingers Ji-Sung Park en Jefferson Farfán battled for every ball, the defence was compact and well-organized and Van Bommel delivered many fine passes. PSV were mature football wise by starting many good moves, but also by kicking the ball away, depending the situation.And if AS Monaco were threatening, players like Alex of Phillip Cocu were always on the right place to come to the rescue. PSV dominated proceedings and looked composed in this European game. They created some first half chances, but Johann Vogel fired over the bar and Park could not find a team mate after a mazy run into the area. At half time PSV were still 1-0 on top.
DaMarcus Beasley came on for Farfán in the seventh minute after the break. The American was played on the left flank, his favourite position, where he was lees dangerous than his Peruvian colleague. AS Monaco, last season?s beaten finalists, poured some more men forward, but PSV kept cool on this cold wintry night. They had most possession of the ball and worked hard to create an opening to score a reassuring second goal, but actually they lacked attacking power in the final stages. They worked hard as a team to dispossess their opponents; they kept vigilant whenever the Monegasques came forward and did not give away anything.The home fans started the celebrations after the final whistle of referee Medina Cantelejo. The return leg will is scheduled for 9 March, where PSV will defend their slender lead.
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